UTSA archaeology field school is June 22-26

(June 1, 2009)--The UTSA Center for Archaeological Research will host a one-week field school for area teachers June 22-26 at Rancho de las Cabras, a Spanish colonial mission ranch near Floresville. For more then 20 years, CAR has conducted research at the ranch.

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Teachers will excavate the courtyard and work along the walls of the historic ranch. Additionally, participants will spend one day at the lab on campus to see first-hand how archaeological research is conducted and attend presentations on animal bones, stone tools and ceramics.

"This will be a great opportunity for area teachers to take back what they learned into the classroom and translate it to their kids," said field school organizer Lynn Yakubik.

Cost of the field school is $50 including lesson plans. Teachers also will receive up to 25 continuing education credits for attending.

"Rancho de las Cabras belonged to Mission Espada and Native Americans who lived there would tend to very large heads of cattle, goats, cows and sheep," said Yakubik. "Once a week they would do a cattle drive to Mission Espada and provide meat for the residents."

Rancho de las Cabras is featured in Ken Burns' upcoming PBS mini-series "The National Parks: Americas Best Idea." The segment focuses on San Antonio's history and includes commentary by Felix Almaraz, UTSA professor of history. (See a preview of the documentary.)

For more information and to register for the field school, contact Lynn Yakubik at (210) 458-4462.